New Music Review: I PREVAIL ‘Trauma’

Rating: 9 / 10 Stars

I PREVAIL is: Brian Burkheiser (clean vocals), Eric Vanlerberghe (harsh vocals), Steve Menoian (lead guitar), Dylan Bowman (rhythm guitar), Gabe Helguera (drums)

REVIEW – After years of building a loyal fanbase and enduring personal trials behind the scenes, I PREVAIL are ready to reintroduce themselves with Trauma, their highly anticipated sophomore album, set to release March 29, 2019 via Fearless Records. This isn’t just a follow-up—it’s a rebirth. Forged through personal breakdowns, vocal cord injuries, and battles with mental health, Trauma is poised to deliver one of the most emotionally honest and musically diverse records in modern metalcore.

Lead single “Bow Down” dropped like a wrecking ball, immediately setting the tone for what’s to come—crushing riffs, furious vocals, and a level of intensity that makes one thing clear: I PREVAIL are done playing nice. This is the sound of a band that’s been to hell and back, and came out swinging.

But Trauma is more than just heavy. “Breaking Down”, another early single, cuts to the bone. Brian Burkheiser’s return to the mic after vocal cord surgery is as powerful as it is vulnerable. He wears his pain proudly, using his voice to speak openly about anxiety, identity, and self-worth. In contrast, Eric Vanlerberghe’s screams are sharp and cathartic, a firestorm of frustration that adds emotional weight to every chorus and breakdown.

From the gut-punch honesty of “Hurricane” to the genre-bending swagger of “Rise Above It” (featuring Justin Stone), Trauma refuses to be boxed in. The band experiments confidently with hip-hop, electronic textures, and anthemic choruses without ever losing their core intensity. On “Every Time You Leave” featuring Delaney Jane, they even dip into country-tinged alt-pop territory—and somehow, it works. It’s clear they’re not just writing music for the pit anymore; they’re writing music for the soul.

Produced by Tyler Smyth, the album strikes a razor-sharp balance between chaos and clarity. There’s enough aggression to satisfy long-time fans, but the production is wide open—letting melodies soar, synths pulse, and emotion lead the charge.

Where so many bands build walls around their genre, I PREVAIL have torn them down with Trauma. This album isn’t about perfection—it’s about pain, growth, and letting it bleed. And with it, they’ve crafted a record that feels both fearless and necessary.